Posted on 11/08/2002 5:17:26 AM PST by GailA
Restless Democrats, anti-tax GOP may team up to challenge Naifeh
By Paula Wade wade@gomemphis.com November 8, 2002
NASHVILLE - House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) may be facing opposition from dissident Democrats and anti-tax Republicans in the first serious challenge to his position in 12 years.
The challenge would be a political earthquake.
Rep. Frank Buck (D-Dowelltown), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, confirmed that he has been talking to Democrats and Republicans about a possible bipartisan coalition that would elect him as House speaker, and essentially agree to share powerful committee chairmanships and officerships with GOP lawmakers.
"A bunch of people have inquired about it, yes. But I haven't asked a soul for a vote yet - everything's not in order and it's not been finalized," said Buck.
That type of coalition has been used in the Senate by Lt. Gov. John Wilder (D-Somerville) for more than a decade. Wilder pulled his GOP-Democrat coalition together after the Senate Democratic Caucus tried to replace him as speaker in 1986.
The House speakership is one of the most powerful posts in state government, because the speaker appoints all House committees and officers, appoints people to numerous state boards and commissions, and has the largest political influence over the naming of the state's treasurer, comptroller and secretary of state.
The House next term will be comprised of 54 Democrats and 45 Republicans, after Democrats lost a net three seats in Tuesday's elections.
Naifeh barely hung on to his House seat Tuesday, when he actually lost in his home county, Tipton, to Republican challenger Antonio Lopez, 4,596 to 4,811. But voters in Haywood County gave him the cushion he needed, supporting him with 3,116 votes to 2,079 for Lopez.
Some House Republicans - including current House GOP leader Steve McDaniel (R-Parkers Crossroads) - have said they will not support a run against Naifeh. But of the 45 core Naifeh supporters who voted with him on the income tax this year, only 30 will be back in the House next year - the others retired or lost their elections.
Naifeh became a lightning rod for criticism earlier this year when he led the fight in the House for a tax reform plan that included an income tax, but Buck said dissatisfaction with Naifeh has been building for years.
"There are a lot of people who feel they haven't been treated fairly," said Buck. "They feel the Finance Committee isn't run correctly, and everybody knows where the decisions are made. A lot of people think the lobbyists have too much influence."
Naifeh said he has talked to Buck, who has promised "that I'd be the first to know it if he's going to run. And I know he means that," said Naifeh, who has appointed Buck as judiciary chairman throughout his 12-year speakership.
"I would say I think he's been an exceptional chairman, and whoever is speaker, whether it's me or someone else, would have to consider him for chairman of judiciary," Naifeh said.
Naifeh refused to comment on McDaniel's suggestion that he name some Republicans as committee chairmen in a gesture of bipartisanship.
Naifeh said his out-front advocacy of the income tax issue is probably the major factor in the challenge, which has been discussed quietly among lawmakers for months. Many anti-tax legislators blamed Naifeh for the extended tax impasse, which resulted in a partial shutdown of state government until a 1-cent sales tax hike passed July 4.
The House Democratic Caucus meets to choose its officers and its nominee for speaker on Nov. 23. The speaker will be elected by the full House in its organizational session on Jan. 14.
Contact Nashville Bureau reporter Paula Wade at (615) 242-2018.
rep.beth.harwell@legislature.state.tn.us
He is to much in bed with Jimmy Naifeh. We have a chance to break Naifeh's power thus weakening the entire party for a better position of the GOP taking control of at least the House next election.
The main key is breaking Naifeh's grip on the House!
REMOVE McDaniels he is an obstructionist.
Dennis & Gail
Some House Republicans - including current House GOP leader Steve McDaniel (R-Parkers Crossroads) - have said they will not support a run against Naifeh.
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